Answers

What is MARSSIM?

The Multi-Agency Radiation Surveys and Site Investigation Manual
(MARSSIM) provides detailed guidance for planning, implementing,
and evaluating environmental and facility radiological surveys
conducted to demonstrate compliance with a dose- or risk-based
regulation. MARSSIM focuses on the demonstration of compliance
during the final status survey following scoping, characterization,
and any necessary remedial actions.

Which federal agencies developed MARSSIM?

The Departments of Defense and Energy, the Environmental Protection
Agency, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission were the primary
developers. Many individuals and other organizations also contributed
to its development.

More Info

How was MARSSIM developed?

MARSSIM was developed collaboratively over a four-year period,
by a multi-agency workgroup. Members of the workgroup represented
the four federal agencies that have primary responsibility for
controlling radioactive materials.

During MARSSIM's development, the workgroup sought comment from
federal and state agencies and the public. Their goals were to
involve the widest possible range of shareholders and to ensure
receipt of all relevant information. In addition, the manual underwent
extensive scientific and peer review.

How can I contact workgroup members?

How can I obtain a copy?

How does MARSSIM affect me?

Who uses MARSSIM?

MARSSIM users include federal agencies such as the Departments
of Defense and Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. MARSSIM users also include
states, site owners, contractors, and the public.

Am I required to use MARSSIM?

MARSSIM is guidance, not a requirement. However, it is a multi-agency
consensus document, and each of the developing federal agencies
endorse its use. Most state regulatory programs have also adopted
MARSSIM.

Is there flexibility in applying MARSSIM
guidance?

MARSSIM's developers purposely built in flexibility by relying
on a performance-based approach, systematic planning, and the
Data Quality Objectives process. As a result, users can develop
a tailored survey process rather than rigidly adhering to a single
prescriptive method.

Is MARSSIM cost-effective?

Results-to-date indicate that the MARSSIM process requires fewer
measurements than other methods, thus saving time and money. Other
methods may over- or underestimate the necessary number of measurements
or may not account for decision errors.

What other benefits does MARSSIM offer?

How does MARSSIM fit into existing programs?

Does MARSSIM work with existing regulatory cleanup programs?

MARSSIM is flexible enough to use with many existing statutory
programs, such as CERCLA, RCRA, FUSRAP, BRAC, and State programs.
Its comprehensive guidance addresses all phases of the surface
soil survey process for demonstrating compliance with dose- or
risk-based requirements: planning, conducting, evaluating, and
documenting.

EPA, NRC, DOD, DOE, and most state regulatory programs have adopted
MARSSIM and accept its use in their regulatory program. However,
you may need to consult with your program office, regulator, or
agency representative about applying MARSSIM to specific situations.

More Info

Why does MARSSIM use statistics?

MARSSIM provides a process for collecting, organizing, and interpreting
data and for making decisions about populations of data from samples.
Statistics are useful for inferring population characteristics
from a set of samples. Statistics also facilitate decision-making
in conditions of uncertainty.

What statistical tests does MARSSIM use?

MARSSIM recommends nonparametric statistical tests, such as the
Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test and Sign Test, to evaluate environmental
data. However, it describes a wide variety of statistical tests
designed for specific situations. When the underlying assumptions
for these tests can be verified, they may be preferable to MARSSIM's
generic tests .

Survey Planning and Design

More Info

Field Survey Methods and Instrumentation

MARSSIM provides guidance on sampling, direct measurements and
scanning in Chapter 6, Field Measurement Methods and Instrumentation.
It provides a descriptive instrumentation list in Appendix H,
Description of Field Survey and Laboratory Analysis Equipment.